Transport for London Should Introduce Rolling Recruitment for More London Underground Customer Service Assistants to Reduce Disruption, Including Station Closures

This is a follow-up to my previous article earlier this year (2025), where I raised the issue of there being no vacancies from Transport for London (TfL) to hire more Customer Service Assistants (CSAs) for the London Underground.

Transport for London reveals reason for delays to new 2024 Tube Stock for the Piccadilly line, now expected to enter service between July and December 2026

As I’ve been keeping an eye on the Freedom of Information disclosure log on the Transport for London (TfL) website, I noticed that they have published a response to a member of the public who requested information regarding delays to the 2024 Tube Stock (also known as the New Tube for London) for the Piccadilly line.

This is a follow-up to my previous article, in which I reported on delays to the DLR rolling stock B23, now expected to enter service later in 2025.

The first test train for the new Piccadilly line fleet has arrived in
London 🤩🚆

This train will undergo intensive testing before the new fleet starts entering passenger service by the end of next year.

Find out more 👇https://t.co/KJZWXspHNO pic.twitter.com/0ix3MkEi5c

— TfL (@TfL) October 16, 2024

Request ID: FOI-1609-2526
Date published: 24 September 2025

Transport for London to launch Bakerloop BL1 express bus route on 27 September 2025 with free travel for first week

Bakerloop Bus
TfL Image

It has been revealed that TfL will be launching the Bakerloop BL1 route from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham. The service will be operated by Go-Ahead London, who won the bid to run the route at £4,931,033 per annum using existing electric buses. The service will be free to use for the first week after its launch.

TfL press release:

Could Transport for London Reinstate 'Half-Cab' Double-Deck Buses?

Winners of the New Bus for London competition back in 2008
Top left: Aston Martin and Foster + Partners
Top right: Capoco Design
Bottom left: Héctor Serrano, Miñarro García and Javier Esteban
Bottom right: Jamie Martin

This is a follow-up to my previous article investigating why the New Routemaster isn’t a half-cab design with a permanent open platform, and why Transport for London (TfL) chose to make it a three-door, two-staircase hybrid bus.

I’ve gone through various Freedom of Information (FOI) requests on the TfL website and found that multiple requesters have asked about the half-cab buses. It is worth noting that I did not submit these FOI requests myself, as this information is already publicly available on the TfL website. Additionally, sites like WhatDoTheyKnow publish FOI requests and their responses openly, helping to ensure transparency and public access to important information.

̶L̶o̶n̶d̶o̶n̶ Singapore Bus Tender Awards: Go-Ahead Singapore Wins Tampines Bus Package Consisting of 27 Routes

In this recent London ahem Singapore Bus Tender Awards, announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Go-Ahead Singapore has won the Tampines Bus Package, which consists of 27 routes.

Here’s the press release from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority:

London Bus Tender Awards: Metroline Retains Route E9 and Superloop Route SL8 with New Double-Deck Electric Buses

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Metroline has retained Route E9 and Superloop Route SL8, both of which will operate with new double-deck electric buses.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Route 207/N207
Current Operator: Transport UK West London
New Operator: Transport UK West London
PVR: 25
Vehicles: Existing hybrid double deck
Contract Start Date: 4th April 2026
Contract End Date: 6th April 2029

London Bus Tender Awards: Stagecoach to Operate Superloop Route SL12 and Route 205 with New Electric Buses

As we are in September 2025, after a month’s wait, Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Superloop route SL12 has been awarded to Stagecoach London, who will be using double-deck electric buses along with route 205.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operator listed below:

Route 205/N205
Current Operator: Stagecoach East London
New Operator: Stagecoach East London
PVR: 17
Vehicles: New electric double deck
Contract Start Date: 29th August 2026
Contract End Date: 26th August 2033

Transport for London reveals reason for delays to new DLR rolling stock B23, expected to enter service later in 2025

After a long hiatus, the new £942 million Docklands Light Railway rolling stock B23 is finally back in trial service. Transport for London (TfL) has explained the reasons for the delay in response to a Freedom of Information request.

Your exclusive sneak peek of the new DLR trains 👀

Coming soon. Find out more about the new features ⬇️ https://t.co/eYvOKFOfjy pic.twitter.com/DLHxD2aTgt

— TfL (@TfL) September 1, 2025

Request ID: FOI-1452-2526
Date published: 08 September 2025

Transport for London Reveals Update on the Proposed West London Orbital Railway Line

© TfL

In a recent Freedom of Information response, Transport for London (TfL) revealed an update on the proposed West London Orbital railway. This planned passenger rail line in England will use existing tracks to connect Hounslow in the west with Hendon and West Hampstead in the north. Its aim is to improve links across west and northwest London, support new homes and jobs, and reduce road congestion, mainly by restoring passenger services and adding new stations along the route.

Request ID: FOI-2015-2526
Date published: 08 September 2025

Why the Elizabeth Line Isn’t Part of the London Underground

Central and Elizabeth line trains at Ealing Broadway

The Elizabeth line represents one of the most significant recent developments in London’s transport network, yet it often prompts questions about its relationship to the London Underground (LU) and why it is not classified as a Tube line. Transport for London (TfL) has addressed this on multiple occasions on X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasising clear distinctions between the two.